Quiet Rage

My best friend Lena used to light up every room she walked into.
I watch her now with her head down, fingers twisting the strap of her coach bag, and it's like someone switched her off.
John laughs too loud at something she says. Slaps her knee like she's an afterthought. She flinches so small, most people wouldn't even catch it. But I do.
I catch everything.
Once upon a time, Lena knew what she deserved. She would have burned a man alive for even thinking he could dim her shine.
Now she apologizes when she speaks too loud. She glances at him for permission before she orders a drink.
I sip my water. Smile when he says an unfunny joke.
I think about all the ways you can break a man quietly.
I think about how easy it would be to make him disappear.